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Colossal is hosted by (mt) Media Temple VPS Hosting Editor's Picks: Design Highlights below. For the full collection click here. Recycled Building Materials Construct a Multi-Purpose Zero Waste Center in Japan A Photographer Captures a Dwindling Herd of Elephant Slides Across Taiwan Sinuous Branches Envelop Human-Sized Nests and Large Geometric Sculptures by Charlie Baker A Whimsical Ad Uses Conductive Thread to Light Up Miniature Scenes Made of Yarn and Fabric Architectural Shots Frame the Stately Modern Designs of Churches Across Europe A Massive Crocheted Canopy Provides Shade for a Shopping District in Malaga See the rest of the Collection >> Design #architecture #Bolivia The Highest City in the World Celebrates Its Indigenous Culture with Freddy Mamani's Neo-Andean Architecture March 6, 2019 Laura Staugaitis [svg] The city of El Alto isn't just distinguished by its impressive altitude of over 13,000 feet above sea level or its self-governing status. This Bolivian municipality also sets itself apart with the distinctive architecture of Freddy Mamani Silvestre. The architect, who goes by Freddy Mamani professionally, got his start as a bricklayer and studied civil engineering in college. He completed his first building in this style in 2005 and has since created dozens more designs that incorporate circular windows, sharply angled rooflines and vibrant pink, green, and orange facades. The massive buildings seem to tower above their architectural neighbors, but they aren't private mansions. Many of Mamani's constructions are multi-use structures, filled with ground-floor rental stalls for vendors, a second floor party venue, and apartments on top. His buildings are nicknamed cholets, a portmaneau of chalet (a Swiss mountain house) and cholo (derogatory slang for indigenous person). Though many westerners draw comparisons to Las Vegas, Mamani clarifies that the shapes, colors, and patterns he uses are drawn from Bolivia's pre-Columbian history. In particular, the aguayo, a bright woven cloth of the Aymara, an indigenous group that Mamani is a part of, inspires the architect's designs. Mamani shared in an interview with The Guardian, "My designs are a modern expression of our culture," he adds. "Since Evo Morales [the country's first indigenous president] became president, things have changed a lot. We feel proud of being Aymaran." Last fall, Mamani built a ballroom in Paris as the opening work in the Cartier Foundation's exhibition on Latin American art and architecture. You can get to know the architect in the Great Big Story video below. Photographer Peter Granser also published a book in 2016 about Mamani's builds, which is available on the Edition Taube website. (via Quartz) [svg] [svg] [svg] [svg] [svg] [svg] [svg] #architecture #Bolivia Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member and support independent arts publishing. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about contemporary art, help support our interview series, gain access to partner discounts, and much more. Join now! 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